From Rishabh Pant to Dewald Brevis: The Most Expensive Players in Global T20 Leagues
These leagues follow a similar pattern: an auction or draft to buy players, where one player inevitably emerges as the most expensive star.
Here’s a look at the top T20 leagues and the marquee players commanding the highest price tags:
Rishabh Pant – Most Expensive Player in IPL
The dynamic India batter Rishabh Pant was released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 auction—a move that turned out to be game-changing. Lucknow Super Giants made headlines by signing Pant for a record-breaking ₹27 crore, surpassing Shreyas Iyer, who had been bought earlier in the same auction for ₹26.75 crore.
Dewald Brevis – Most Expensive Player in SA20
South Africa’s rising star Dewald Brevis lived up to expectations in the SA20 auction held on September 9, 2025. Pretoria Capitals acquired him for R 9.2 million (around ₹8.30 crore), making him the most expensive player in the league.
David Warner – Most Expensive Player in PSL
Australian veteran David Warner became the costliest player in Pakistan Super League (PSL) history when Karachi Kings secured his services for $300,000 (approximately ₹2.58 crore). Warner’s signing highlighted PSL’s ambition to attract global cricket fans.
Babar Azam – Most Expensive Player in BBL
Pakistan captain Babar Azam, currently out of the T20I setup, was snapped up by Sydney Sixers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. The franchise paid AUD $420,000 (around ₹4 crore) for the star batter, emphasizing their intent to bring big names to the league.
Jason Roy – Most Expensive Player in MLC
Major League Cricket (MLC) keeps player salaries private, but reports suggest that England opener Jason Roy earns over $387,000. With the league’s growing revenue, player salaries are expected to rise even further in the coming seasons.
Multiple Top-Paid Players in BPL
In the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), several players fall under the top Class A category, earning 70 lakh Bangladeshi Taka. Notable names include Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tamim Iqbal.
Matheesha Pathirana – Most Expensive Player in LPL
Sri Lanka’s talented pacer Matheesha Pathirana became the most expensive player in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) when Colombo Strikers purchased him for $120,000 (approximately ₹99.97 lakh).
